Inviting Family Members

When international students or scholars (hereinafter, “supporter”) invite their family (spouse/children) to stay in Japan for three months or more, the family members need to obtain a Dependent Visa before coming to Japan.
In order to obtain this visa, supporters residing in Japan must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) for Dependent Visa through the Immigration Services Agency..
The CoE usually takes 1 to 2 months to be issued. Once received, please send the CoE to your family in your home country.

If your family member applys for a visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General in their home country, they must submit this Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) along with the other required documents.

For a short-term stay of less than three months, the family can visit Japan under a Short-Term Stay visa.
If they hold a passport from a country with a visa exemption arrangement, they do not need to apply for a Short-Term Stay visa in advance.

Required documents:

Please check the website of the Immigration Services Agency for the latest information.

1. Application for the COE (for a Dependent Visa)
2. Photos (one photo per family member) for applying (4cm x 3cm)
   *Photos must have been taken within the last three months prior to the application date.
3. Self-addressed stamped envelope (*SASE)
4. Official documents proving relationships
   (e.g., spouse: a copy of the marriage certificate, children: a copy of the birth certificate)
5. A copy of the residence card or passport of the supporter in Japan
6. Documents (below) to confirm the occupation and income of the supporter
   (1) Certificate of enrollment/student status, certificate of employment, etc.
   (2) Documents certifying financial capacity (e.g., bank statement, scholarship award letter, employment contract, taxation certificate, etc.)
   *If the supporter has income in Japan, a taxation (or tax exemption) certificate for resident tax and a certificate of tax payment issued by the municipal office are also required. Either certificate is acceptable, provided it includes both the total annual income and the tax payment status.

*Additional documents may be required at the discretion of the Immigration Services Agency.